Sat Feb 15 09:43:11 UTC 2025: **Modi’s “Magic” Visit to Trump Yields Major US-India Agreements Despite Tariff Tensions**

WASHINGTON D.C. – Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the United States resulted in a series of significant agreements with President Donald Trump, despite the looming threat of reciprocal tariffs. Top US experts, including Ashley Tellis and Lisa Curtis, former members of US administrations, hailed the meeting as a resounding success, marking a strong start to the US-India relationship under the second Trump term.

Despite Trump announcing reciprocal tariffs on India hours before the meeting, the two leaders finalized major defense deals and set an ambitious bilateral trade target of $500 billion by 2030. Agreements included increased military sales to India, including a potential offer of F-35 fighter jets, and increased Indian imports of US oil and gas to mitigate the existing trade deficit.

Tellis described Modi’s visit as a strategic success, aimed at securing India from Trump’s protectionist trade policies. He credited Modi with deftly navigating Trump’s personality, achieving significant concessions. Curtis echoed this sentiment, highlighting the early timing of the meeting as a testament to the US’s prioritization of the US-India partnership.

While acknowledging Trump’s tendency to announce tariffs as a negotiating tactic, both experts emphasized that the meeting created space for future negotiations. The commitment from India to purchase US defense equipment was cited as particularly appealing to Trump’s focus on trade.

A key takeaway from the summit was the offer of F-35 fighter jets, showcasing the US’s willingness to provide India with cutting-edge defense technology. However, concerns remain regarding potential bureaucratic delays in finalizing defense deals, hindering past collaborations. Both Curtis and Tellis acknowledged bureaucratic hurdles on both sides, citing the lengthy delays in previous defense procurements as a challenge for future cooperation. Despite these challenges, the meeting overall was viewed as a triumph of diplomacy, laying a strong foundation for the bilateral relationship in the coming years. Modi’s clever use of the acronym “MIGA” (Make India Great Again), combined with Trump’s “MAGA,” to create “MEGA” partnership also highlighted the friendly atmosphere and shared goals.

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